Help Your Child Healthfully Rise and Shine This School Year

While some youth skip back to school eager to make 10 friends and run for student council, others return to class in an emotional slump of self-doubt and loneliness amidst roller coaster emotions of adolescence. They may make straight As, excel in soccer and have friends yet still feel inadequate. Parents can lovingly guide struggling children to discuss concerns, embrace their uniqueness and tackle challenges with a growth mindset as they pursue interests and build a supportive network.

Seek Quality Facetime

Children's Hospital Colorado asks parents to consider if their lonely child has a peer group that creates a sense of fulfillment or belonging or if they wish they had more trusted connections to rely on. With kids texting more than conversing by phone or in person, one might lack quality social connections needed for wellbeing as children reach adolescence.

Loneliness signs include not spending time with friends, having a poor self-image, struggling to fit in and feeling negative about the future. It recommends that parents of younger children reach out to parents of the child's classmates to facilitate playdates. For older students discuss their needs and goals around social connection. Together brainstorm ways to build connections, whether joining band or swim team. "Ask a lot of questions and empathize to identify how to support that teenager," psychologist Sarah Kennedy says. "Help them really think through and problem solve other ways that they can socially connect."

Also encourage other supportive relationships with trusted adults like grandparents, coaches and mentors. "The best way to help your child with loneliness is to advocate for their needs, pay attention to their social interactions and help them find a community to which they belong."

Savor the Bright Spots

Help children identify feelings like sadness and talk about them to better understand them, says Nemours Children's Health. Likewise, invite children to reflect on happy moments from a complement or funny skit in Spanish class to a beloved pet or vacation spot." Write some good things down, say them out loud or draw them," it advises.

Another Nemours article advises to visit the pediatrician and a mental health professional for extended sadness or depression to consider cognitive behavioral therapy. Meanwhile, " Listen, comfort, offer your support and show love...Try to stay patient and kind through bad moods and struggle and guide them to better behavior."

And relish quiet moments. "Go for a walk, play a game, cook, read stories, make a craft, watch a funny movie. Spend time outdoors if you can. These things gently encourage positive moods and they can help you and your child feel close."

Get Moving

In the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Daniela McVicker stresses the power of exercise and healthy lifestyle. "Encourage your child to play a sport or even just take regular walks with them," she writes. It notes habits like sufficient sleep and healthy meals are "vital for reducing stress and coping with depression." So skip the 15 grams-o-sugar treats and stock with fridge with power snacks from berries to granola with flax seed.

Manage Back-to-School Blues

Other kids might experience jitters in facing daunting playground politics or honors Algebra. As the fall zooms ahead, ask children about their thoughts, fears and aspirations for the school year, says Brody Wooddell of WFLA-TV. "By showing genuine interest and listening actively, you're not only fostering communication skills but also helping them feel understood and supported," Wooddell says. "By setting achievable goals your giving your child a roadmap to success and boosting their confidence."

Discuss past accomplishments to remind them of their capabilities; give age-appropriate chores to boost self-esteem; offer constructive feedback on effort and improvement to highlight progress and build confidence. Encourage a growth mindset that abilities can be developed through learning and "mistakes are opportunities for growth."

Love Thyself

Nurture their spirit, whether praying, painting or reading. "Confidence begins with a positive self-image. Encourage your child to practice self-care and embrace their unique qualities. Remind them that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it's ok to be imperfect," affirms Wooddell. "With your unwavering encouragement, your child will step into the classroom with the self-assurance to take on new challenges and embrace every opportunity for growth.